I'm ready for my close up Mr. Demille!

I played this one pretty close to the chest. So you know how I mentioned my heart dog tags being in the "Hearts for Haiti" shop? I was contacted about it's possible use in a segment on TV in California concerning Valentine's Day gifts that give back. Well looky loo! It ended up on air!

To see the clip go here and click on the link at the left that says "Creative Vday Gifts!":

http://tinyurl.com/ygdu544

What I've Been Doing

Hi all! Just a short update. I've been working on my copper heart dog tags. I've sold a few through my shop and through the Hearts for Haiti shop. Very exciting!!! I've also been working on cuff links.

Also, here is a ring I made last week that I finally stole a moment to take pictures of. At some point it will be up in the shop. When? Your guess is as good as mine. Hopefully later this week! I'm calling it "Six Moons Over Earth."

Hearts for Haiti

I can't believe I didn't post this before! I haven't written about the devastating situation in Haiti on here (well because I haven't really been posting much lately). I have started a special section in my shop called "we all can help" and either all proceeds or a percentage of the proceeds from each piece in that section will be going to the Red Cross.

No one has taken me up on it yet in my shop, but because I know there is strength in numbers, I have also donated work over in this fantastic shop called Hearts for Haiti on Etsy. All the pieces have been donated by artisans on Etsy and the proceeds go to Doctors Without Borders. I'm happy to say my first piece sold over there. Woot! I am in great company as so far over 1,000 pieces have sold raising more than $20,000.00!!! All this in under 2 weeks. Many hands make light work.

If you are an artisan, please consider making a donation and if you are itching to buy, consider purchasing something there! Click the link: Hearts for Haiti

Don't lose that bear!

So today Young Master Beads's school is having some sort of breakfast party where the kidlets get to help make breakfast. Save mama some pancakes! Anyhoo, they are supposed to bring a treasured stuffed animal or something with them.

For Young Master that means bringing Cappuccino or Cappy for short. Young Master is under the impression that this is actually *his* bear. Au contraire. Cappy is mine and has been mine for at least a good 15 years. My parents got him for me sometime when I was a teenager. I don't know why I wanted him so badly. I think I must've felt he looked rather smart in his rugby shirt or something. To say this bear means a lot to me is putting it mildly. To know that he is on extended loan to Young Master lets you know how much Young Master means to me.

You know he looks smart and preppy in his rugby shirt.
But don't be fooled. He kicks some serious ass. He's a rugby player after all.

However, losing Cappy at school would be a no no. So the school suggested we mark special stuffies with our child's name in the event that one got lost, he or she could find his way back home. Last evening I was poised with Sharpie marker in hand ready to ink Young Master's name on the bear's shirt collar. I couldn't do it on the shirt's tag or the bear's tag because they were dark. I paused for a LONG time. Why?

1. If I put "Young Master Beads" on there does that mean I'm relinquishing ownership? *gulp*
2. I don't want to ruin his shirt by putting a name on it *waaah!*

Mr. Beads saw me pausing in indecision and stricken with anxiety and he said "You're not going to WRITE ON CAPPY ARE YOU!?!?!" ---> I told you this bear is special. I finally decided I just couldn't do it.

So I did what any crazy, bear-possessed, crafty mama would do. I applied my unique skill set and made a removable label for his shirt. Aaaaaah. A near disaster averted.

First name smudged to protect the innocent.

Besides, I kind of like you all thinking of him as Young Master Beads. ;D

oh the possibilities!

Happy 2010! Hi everyone! Sorry I've been MIA but you know how I do. So today I found myself scouring the internets to figure out how to make my own craft table. I already have a place where I do my jewelry work but I really need more space.

Let me tell you, I had a near orgasmic experience looking up plans and DIY ideas. And therein lies the problem. The possibility is where the excitement lies for me. The IDEA, the CONCEPT! The materials gathered before me and the endless opportunities to CREATE are IT! I'm getting all hot and bothered here just thinking about thinking about it.

I have always been one who loves the idea of what could be. The flip side of this is that I leave the execution for another day. And another day of course turns into two years ago, yadda yadda. You don't want to know how many times I've laid out a plan for what I could do in the house to my hubby. And while I'm getting energized by the conversation, he is totally getting drained. Let's take a little picture tour of what awaits completion and how long I've been idea-lizing it, shall we?

Pillows that need covering -3 months

Magazine holders (the house shape is so cute right??) that need painting -3 months

Coasters that need staining -5 months

Picture frame that needs Young Master Beads's latest school photo -3 months

Herbs that need planting -1 week. (woohoo!)

This is just the short list I came up with. I'm sure there's more. You may be asking, why are you putting this up here Nina? I am putting it here to shame myself into some sort of action. lol. While it is fun to dwell in the land of possibilities, I find myself wondering ala Langston Hughes, what happens to a dream deferred and I have a feeling it ain't pretty...

What happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore--
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over--
like a syrupy sweet?

Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.

Or does it explode?

I need to clear some mental space! If any of you have projects out there that need completing, I encourage you to get started (or in this case, finished) too!

Fa la la la la la la la...bag!

Sorry I've left you all hanging in the wind! I'm happy to say that this has been my best holiday selling season to date but it has therefore also been my busiest!!! Maybe some of you are still looking for gifts to give (or receive. hee hee!). This was an early present to myself made by the lovely Laura of Pansy Maiden Bags. I see now that her guaranteed shipping deadline has passed. So sorry I didn't post this earlier. Ugh! Maybe you'll get cash this holiday season and can splurge in the new year. :D

I love this bag and here are some of the reasons why:

1. It's an awesome design. I mean look at it!
2. It has like a bazillion pockets. Okay. More like six, but still! That front part is one huge pocket. It's not just cute, it's totally functional.
3. It's huge. I can fit all sorts of stuff in here. Probably even a turkey. I may or may not have tried that on Thanksgiving. *I'll never teellllllllll!*
4. It has an adjustable AND removable shoulder strap!!!
5. It's WASHABLE!!!! Hello!???!?! As the mother of a toddler this is oh so necessary.

I hope you've enjoyed this mini update and I'll see you all later! I'll try to be back sooner than later!!!

Black Friday thru Cyber Monday Savings!

Well I managed to get through Thanksgiving without rolling out the door. I made my first ever pretty newsletter and you can see it below if you click the link. It has my Black Friday - Cyber Monday sale inside! Woot!

Click the link. I think it looks pretty. But more importantly, you can save money! We can't have form with no substance 'round these parts....

Go look at it and tell me what you think design wise! If any of you are out there braving the stores, more power to you! I'm going to bed!